are among my favourite flowers but neither have really done as well as I hoped this year.
I think that this is a cosmos bipinnatus Gloria but it’s only a foot high with a few flowers that are just a couple of inches diameter, rather than three feet with flowers bigger than a CD.
The yellow cosmos bipannatus Xanthos is another small plant and flower, but they have been flowering all summer. I’ll hopefully collect some seed and try again next year.
These sunflowers (helianthus annuus) have flowered during the past week.
This all yellow one is waist high with a small saucer sized flower.
The one below with a dark centre is over six feet high but with an equally small flower.
Happy gardening, and have a good weekend!
[Click on any picture to see a larger image]
Flighty's plot 
Awesome update many thanks for sharing and have a blessed day
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Linda thanks, you’re welcome and you too. xx
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I love that yellow cosmos, such a pretty colour. My tall sunflowers haven’t done well this year either, I’m glad I planted some dwarf ones otherwise I’d have been without.
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Jo me too but it is rather variable. That’s a shame. I think that I’ll grow some dwarf ones next year. xx
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Even though your cosmos are shorter and have smaller blooms than usual, they are still pretty. And those glorious helianthus — just to look at them makes me smile! Have a good weekend too!
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Liz I agree, and I would’ve have liked a few more as well. Sunflowers do have that effect don’t they. Thanks. xx
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Planted Cosmos first time this year, I don’t know which type. Lots of fern leaf growth, not much height and no sign of flowers. Might be too late now. Yours are very pretty. The flowers are a useful sign of our differing weather patterns this year.
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Menhir that’s a shame but don’t give up as they do flower well into autumn. Thanks. It is indeed. xx
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My cosmos have been the same. I was expecting a real show of colour but they’ve struggled to reach a foot high. Pity as I planted 3 different shades of pink,hoping for a dramatic display! They’re still very beautiful though and in such lovely eye catching shades. Better to have short flowers than none at all!! Have a good weekend! Caro xx
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Caro it seems to have been a common problem with them this year. I agree about having some is better than none. Thanks, you too. xx
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Mine have struggled too, very short this year & so few of them. My neighbour has a couple of tall sunflowers though xx
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Joanne it’s a shame that they didn’t do better. Lucky neighbour. xx
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I’ve just got a handful of self-seeded cosmos this year, and my sunflowers are really short for some reason. I like the yellow one, most unusual. CJ xx
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CJ I guess that the weather is to blame. Me too, it seems that many prefer to grow other colours so they’re not seen as often as they should be. xx
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I’ve enjoyed seeing Xanthos on The Cut Flower Patch this year. Its a very pretty one.
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Pianoleaner I enjoyed it too, as you say it’s very pretty. Cheers.
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Such cheery “faces”! 🙂
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Doris they are indeed. xx
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At least you got some lovely photos, even if these haven’t been prolific for you. The heat did a number on my cosmos — they were small and very short-lived. I think they won’t even reseed. Perhaps I’ll sow more once we cool down a bit.
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Nikki I’m thankful that I did. That’s a shame. That sounds like a good idea. xx
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Xanthos is a very pretty one – one of my favourites this year. My cosmos have been good this year but I tend to start them off a bit earlier in late April and then plant out. I think because we had such a cool spring it has taken lots of things a while to get going and it has been quite dry in some places. Although we’re making up for it now in Wales. August hasn’t been very summer -like at all. Hope you get a chance to get to the plot this weekend. xx
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Welly’ it sure is. Lucky you. The weather certainly seemed to take it’s toil this year. It sure hasn’t. Thanks. xx
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My Cosmos have grown really tall and are nearly all dark pink out of a packet of mixed colours. Unfortunately some of them haven’t even got buds on yet – not sure what is happening there. It’s been a funny old year.
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Elaine they do flower well into the autumn so you may be lucky. It sure has. xx
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So lovely that your cosmos grew, even if shorter than expected! Sure brightens up the day to see colourful flowers, and your Sunflower is very cheery indeed.
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Glo I agree, and there may be one or two more. It certainly does, and it sure is. xx
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Your cosmos and sunflowers are lovely, what a shame they didn’t grow very tall, mine have been stunted too, I think the unpredictable weather has much to answer for!xxx
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Snowbird thanks. I agree that it’s probably the weather that’s been the cause. xx
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I have my beautiful white cosmos but oh woe is me! I didn’t get any sunflowers planted this year. Yours are stunning! xx
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Carrie so I see, sadly I’ve none. Tut! Thanks. xx
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